Game board and game having a touring band theme

ABSTRACT

A game board and game apparatus is provided with the game board including a network of paths that originate at a starting point and which lead to a performing stage. The overall theme of the game revolves around a touring band and the object of the band is to arrive on the performing stage with a certain number of band members and with band equipment. Forming a part of the game is a series of tokens that are moved along the network of paths. Further, there is provided a deck of “Consequence” cards, a deck of “Band Member” cards, and a set or deck of “Band Equipment” cards. During the course of the game, as the tokens are advanced along the network of paths, the individuals playing the game will deal with consequences expressed by the “Consequence” cards due to landing on certain increments of the network of paths and further the players will aim to collect a certain number of band cards that represent a single band and at the same time collect at least one “Band Equipment” card, all prior to reaching the performing stage.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to game boards and games, and moreparticularly to a game board and game that carries a theme of a touringband.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Game boards and games played on game boards have long providedmuch enjoyment and pleasure for people of all ages. These games boardsand games that have been enjoyed in the past have been of various typesand have carried many different themes and in the end have involved manyobjectives. It may be difficult to precisely identify what makes onegame board and game more successful than another. However, we dounderstand and appreciate that game boards and games that have theability to focus the attention of individuals over a significant timeperiod, say for example, an hour or more, do generally enjoy significantcommercial success. In their own way, these game boards and gamessometimes border on addiction as individuals are able to have fun andenjoyment playing the games for hours at a time. In terms of whatcontributes to the attractiveness of a game board and a game played onthe game board, this may vary from game to game, but in most cases it isprobably a combination of a number of factors. Certainly game boards andgames that require skill in order to be efficient in playing the gamehas appeal. But equally appealing is a game board and game that tends tointermix skill and luck in such a fashion that one player is not able todominate the game based on skill alone and that various combinations ofskill and luck combined can over the long run provide for exciting,challenging and competitive games.

[0003] Another feature of game boards and games that is particularlyimportant in appealing to individuals is that games and game boardsoften integrate a theme. These themes or the environment in which thegame is played, can generate great interest and are often designedaround nostalgia and bring to mind times of the past. People generallyenjoy events that evoke nostalgia and in a certain way carry them backto a time that they enjoy remembering and even reminiscing about.

[0004] Therefore, there is always a need for game boards and games thatsomehow present a game that rewards various combinations of skill andluck and at the same time evokes subjects of interest to a wide sectorof our society.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention entails a game board and game that isplayed in the context of a theme of a touring band. A game board isprovided that includes a performing stage and a starting point. Betweenthe performing stage and the starting point there is provided a networkof paths that leads from the starting point to the performing stage.Tokens are provided with the game and through the roll of dice thetokens are advanced incrementally along various paths that constitutethe network of paths, with the object always being to ultimately advancethe tokens to the performing stage. In the course of moving from thestarting point to the performing stage, each player will encounterconsequences along the way and these consequences are tied to variousincrements denoted on the various paths. Additionally, in a preferredembodiment of this invention, the object is for a player to arrive at oron the performing stage with a select group of band members and bandequipment. Therefore, to achieve this in the context of the presentgame, there is provided a deck of “Band Member” cards and a deck or setof “Band Equipment” cards. As each player moves from the starting pointalong individual paths of the network, the player will haveopportunities to receive “Band Member” cards from the band member carddeck and exchange “Band Member” cards among the various players. In theend, it is the object of the game for a player to reach the performingstage with a certain number of “Band Member” cards wherein the “BandMember” cards are of a single group that represents a band. Further,along the way, as the individual players move towards the performancestage, they will be required to purchase a “Band Equipment” card thatwill be representative of the band equipment that will be used by theband upon arriving at the performance stage.

[0006] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent and obvious from a study of the following description and theaccompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of such invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the game board of the presentinvention.

[0008]FIGS. 1A and 1B are key descriptions of various actions orconsequences that are a result of a token landing on the various keyedincrements of the paths found on the game board.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of various components that make up thegame board apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] With further reference to the drawings, the game board of thepresent invention is shown therein and indicated generally by thenumeral 100. Game board 100 may conform to a number of shapes and sizes.However, in the case of the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, thegame board is generally rectangular and is of a flat board constructionand may be foldable.

[0011] Viewing the game board in more detail, there is provided aperforming stage 112 located generally in the central area of the gameboard. About the left hand corner of the game board viewed in FIG. 1,there is a parking lot or starting point indicated by the numeral 114.Extending from the parking lot 114 and winding around the game board 100is a network of paths. Each of the paths is incremented. As seen in FIG.1, the respective paths that comprise the network are curved orirregularly shaped. Some segments of the paths extend generally straightwhile portions or segments curve and turn. Viewing the network of paths,it is seen that the network includes one outer loop or path 116 thatextends from the parking 114 across the bottom of the game board andturns upwardly and extends to the right hand corner of the game board.Thereafter the outer loop 116 extends generally horizontally across theupper portion of the game board and turns downwardly and extends alongthe left hand edge of the game board, again as viewed in FIG. 1, to thearea of the parking lot 114 at which time the outer path turns inwardlyand joins an original segment of the outer path. Connected at variouspoints to the outer path 116 is a series of intermediate paths 118.These intermediate paths 118 again curve and turn along areas of thegame board. A plurality of feeder paths 120 also form a part of thenetwork of paths. Feeder paths 120 generally extend inwardly from theintermediate paths 118 and join a generally circular path 140 thatextends at least partially around the performing stage 112. Therefore,as will be appreciated from subsequent portions of this disclosure,tokens 130 that form a part of the game board apparatus are advancedalong the various paths that make up the network of paths. As seen alongthe various paths, there is provided arrows that dictate the directionthat the tokens are to be advanced and in numerous cases the arrowsappear at points where there are options. That is, at these points theplayer can elect to go in one of two directions. In any event, in ageneral way, the players will advance their tokens 130 along the pathsand as will be understood from subsequent portions of this disclosure,the object in part, at least, is to reach a performing stage 112.Therefore, in the process of moving towards the performing stage 112,the players will have to navigate at least a portion of the outer path116. At some point along the outer path 116 the player will turn intoone or more of the intermediate paths 118 or one or more of the feederpaths 120. If an intermediate path 118 is selected, then the player willeventually attempt to move from an intermediate path 118 to a feederpath 120. However, once on a feeder path 120, then the player willattempt to move to the circular path 140 in order that the player canmove to the performing stage 112.

[0012] In addition to the game board that has just been generallydescribed, the game apparatus of the present invention includes a numberof card decks. In particular, there is provided a deck of “Band Member”cards 122. This deck of cards is sometimes referred to as “On Tour”cards. Further, there is a deck of cards that is referred to as“Consequence” cards 124. These “Consequence” cards 124 are sometimesreferred to as “Twist of Fate” cards. Details of these cards will bediscussed subsequently therein. However, at this point it should benoted that the game board 100 is adapted to receive the “Band Member”cards 122 and the “Consequence” cards 124. As viewed in FIG. 1, aboutthe upper right hand corner of game board 100 there is provided a space124 a for receiving the “Consequence” or “Twist of Fate” cards 124.About the upper left hand corner of the game board as viewed in FIG. 1,there is provided a space 122 a that is designed to receive the “BandMember” cards or “On Tour” cards 122.

[0013] Also, about the upper left hand corner, there is shown a pawnshop 126. As will be explored in more detail, the pawn shop 126 plays asignificant role in the respective players obtaining band equipment,represented by a series of “Band Equipment” cards that form a part ofthe game.

[0014] Returning to the game board 100 it is noted that each path thatforms a part of the network of paths is incremented or divided in twoareas. These increments determine how far along a path a player advancesafter the roll of the dice 128. That is if the roll of the dice revealsa “7” then the player will advance seven increments along a path. Manyof the increments formed on the respective paths include some form ofindicia thereon. The indicia is generally a directive to the player andusually involves some action or consequence. Because of the sizelimitation of the drawings, the indicia could not be placed on therespective increments along the paths. Therefore, a circled number hasbeen placed on the respective increments that are intended to haveindicia. These circled numbers also appear on FIGS. 1A and 1B andadjacent each circled number is the indicia that would appear on thatparticular increment on the game board. For example, the circled “3”appearing in the outer path 116 about the lower portion of the gameboard means that that particular increment will include the indicia orphrase “Twist of Fate”. A person landing on this increment would then berequired to draw a card from the “Consequence” or Twist of Fate” deck124. Also, in the way of another example, note the circled “8” thatappeared on the game board. This refers to “Band Splits Up—Discard ThreeCards”. The cards being referred to here are the “Band Member” cards or“On Tour” cards 122. In the way of another example, note the circled“47.” As indicated on FIG. 1B, this denotes the indicia “Release NewCD—Roll Collect X $2,000.00. This obviously means that the player rollsthe dice and multiplies the number shown by the dice by $2,000.00 andthe player collects that amount from the bank.

[0015] Turning to FIG. 2, the components, other than the game board 100,of the game are shown therein. These components include a pair of dice128, a series of tokens 130, a money supply 132, a stack of“Consequence” cards or “Twist of Fate” cards 124, a deck of “BandMember” or “On Tour” cards 122, and a set or deck of “Band Equipment”cards 138. The denominations of the money supply 132 may vary. Forexample, the denominations of the money supply 132 may include $100s,$500s, $1,000s, $5,000s, $10,000s, and $50,000s. Also it should beappreciate that although the series of tokens 130 are in the form ofminiature buses, the nature and design of these tokens 130 may alsovary.

[0016] Further, with respect to the “Consequence” or “Twist of Fate”cards 124, the number of these cards and the consequence or indiciaappearing on the cards can vary. The following is an exemplary list ofthe indicia or consequences that appears on a deck of “Consequence” or“Twist of Fate” cards. CARD NUMBER CONSEQUENCE OR INDICIA ON CARD CardNumber 1 Wading in the Velvet Sea Collect $1,000.00 then every playerrolls Lowest Score Wins Every Player gives this player 2 cards CardNumber 2 Crosstown Traffic Every player puts 2 cards face down at thesame time then trade one left and one right Card Number 3 Heart BreakerDiscard 2 cards and lose next turn Card Number 4 Miracle Keep this cardface up This card counteracts any Twist of Fate card Use once anddiscard Card Number 5 Sunshine Daydream Collect $1,000.00 Make player ofyour choice give you 2 cards then roll again Card Number 6 SurpriseValley Collect 1,000.00 and draw 3 cards Card Number 7 Feeling AlrightCollect $500.00 and draw 1 card Card Number 8 Black Peter You die GameOver Remove bus and discard all cards Card Number 9 Walkin′ Roll 1 dieand move forward Card Number 10 Cosmik Debris The player to your rightblind draws 3 cards from your hand then you draw 4 cards Card Number 11Wish You Were Here Every player moves to the same space you are on Noone draws a twist of fate card and you roll again Card Number 12 GetBack Move backwards 10 spaces Card Number 13 The Magic Bus Move to anyspace within 10 spaces forward or backwards Card Number 14 With A LittleHelp From My Friends Every player pays you $500.00 Card Number 15Shakedown Street Trade 2 cards with player of your choice Card Number 16Truckin′ Draw 1 card and move 15 spaces Card Number 17 Bears GoneFishin′ Blind draw 1 card from every players hand Card Number 18Sabotage Make player of your choice discard 3 cards Card Number 19CrossRoads Move to first fork in road Roll again move either way CardNumber 20 Paint It black Every player discards 2 cards even you CardNumber 21 Instant Karma Every player blind draws 1 card from your handone at a time [clockwise] Card Number 22 Soul SacraFice Discard all yourcards Card Number 23 Helter Skelter Collect $5,00.00 Discard 3 cardsthen draw 3 cards then player to your right blind draws 2 cards fromyour hand Card Number 24 Piece of My Heart Give 1 card to every player[clockwise] Card Number 25 Mr. Fantasy Move to any space within 12spaces forward or backward Card Number 26 Ramble on Rose Draw 1 card androll again Card Number 27 Weight of the World Pay $500.00 and discardall cards Card Number 28 Dazed and Confused Pay $500.00 Discard 3 cardsand lose next turn Card Number 29 Comfortably Numb Every player pays you$500.00 and lose your next turn Card Number 30 Don't Stop Roll againCard Number 31 Dolly Dagger Discard 2 cards and lose next turn CardNumber 32 Not Fade Away Keep this card face up This card counteracts the“Black Peter” card only Use once and discard Card Number 33 U.S. BluesPay $500.00 Lose next turn Card Number 34 Fishwater Every player givesyou 2 cards at the same time Card Number 35 Bounce Around the Room Moveto any space within 10 space forwards or backwards Card Number 36Simpathy for the Devil Blind draw 2 cards from player of your choice androll again Card Number 37 Across the Universe Move to any space on theboard even the stage Card Number 38 Cry Baby Cry Pay $500.00 and discard3 cards Card Number 39 Goodtimes Badtimes Draw 3 cards and lose nextturn Card Number 40 Money Honey Collect $5,000.00 Card Number 41 DayTripper Roll Again Move forward or backward Card Number 42 Hell in aBucket Pay $500.00 Discard 2 cards Roll again and move backwards CardNumber 43 Casey Jones Pay 500.00 and roll again Card Number 44 MakesSense to Me Collect $500.00 and every player gives you 2 cards CardNumber 45 Each and Every Direction Every player trades 1 card with youone at a time Card Number 46 You Can't Always Get What You Want Pay$1,000.00 and draw 3 cards Card Number 47 Bargain Pay $1,000.00 and draw3 cards Card Number 48 If Six was Nine Roll again Sixes count as nines

[0017] It should be appreciated that the consequences described on the“Consequence” or “Twist of Fate” cards reflect song titles from popularrock songs that are recognizable by a substantial portion of oursociety. These song titles are so familiar that many people willidentify with them and may even relate the song titles to personalexperiences. Also, as indicated above, the song titles reflect theconsequences of the “Twist of Fate” cards.

[0018] The object of the game is to reach the performing stage 112 witha predetermined number of “Band Member” cards 122 of the same type. Thatis, as noted above, the “Band Member” cards can be color-coded intogroups with each colored group representing a band. The object of thegame is to arrive at the performing stage 112 with a predeterminednumber of “Band Member” cards of the same color. In the case of therules for one game, the object is to arrive at the performing stage withfive “Band Member” or “On Tour” cards of the same color. Further, theobject is to arrive at the performance stage with one “Band Equipment”card 138. Therefore, in the course of the game, each player will movehis or her token 130 around the game board, and in the process willattempt to pull together a band and finally reach the performing stagewith band equipment and a sufficient number of band members. It isimportant to appreciate that in order to be declared a winner, a playerdoes not have to land directly on the stage, just reach the spacebetween the stage and the “Exit”.

[0019] To begin play, each player chooses a token or bus 130 and placesthe token or bus in the parking lot or starting point 114. The “BandEquipment” cards 138 are placed adjacent the game board 100 andparticularly adjacent the pawn shop 126. Each player receives $5,000.00from the bank and five “Band Member” cards 122. Each player then rollsthe dice 128. The lowest score begins play and play proceeds in aclockwise rotation. A player must always move forward unless a“Consequence” or “Twist of Fate” card 124 directs otherwise. A playeronly draws a “Consequence” card 124 when the player lands on a spacedesignated “Consequence” card or “Twist of Fate” card. In thisparticular game, doubles do not roll again.

[0020] It is important to appreciate that each player must do preciselyas directed by the “Consequence” or “Twist of Fate” cards 124. As a partof the game, there are provided “Miracle” or “Not Fade Away” cards. If aplayer draws one of these cards, these cards can be used to negate orcancel a directive issued by the “Consequence” or “Twist of Fate” card124. The only cards that are drawn, discarded or traded are the “BandMember” or “On Tour” cards 122. If a player does not have any “BandMember” cards and is directed to trade or discard “Band Member” cards,then the player must pay the bank $500.00 per card. If the player has nomoney and owes money to another player, the player must borrow the moneyfrom the bank. When a player borrows money from the bank, it must beproperly accounted for. These loans must be paid back to the bank. If aplayer owes money to the bank and possesses a “Band Equipment” card, theplayer must sell the “Band Equipment” card for $10,000.00. This entailsdiscarding or giving up the “Band Equipment” card and placing it in the“Band Equipment” card deck adjacent to the pawn shop 126 and receiving$10,000.00 from the bank.

[0021] Between turns, each player must discard “Band Member” or “OnTour” cards 122 to where that player only holds no more than 7 cards.This discard procedure should take place between each turn and beforedrawing, trading or rolling the dice 128. If a player rolls the dice 128while holding more than 7 “Band Member” cards or “On Tour” cards 122,then as a penalty, that player must discard all such “Band Member”cards.

[0022] To “trade” cards means that the respective players must placetheir cards face down and then trade them at the same time. To “blinddraw” means one player is required to spread cards out and let anotherplayer draw from that player's cards.

[0023] It is important to note that a player can only purchase a “BandEquipment” card when he or she passes by or lands on the pawn shop 126.If the player passes by the pawn shop 126, then the player must pay$20,000.00 to purchase a “Band Equipment” card. If, on the other hand,the player lands on the pawn shop, then the player only has to pay$10,000.00 for the “Band Equipment” card. If, during the course of thegame, a player is required to sell the “Band Equipment” card, the playermust sell it for $10,000.00 irrespective of the purchase price.

[0024] In the course of the game, a player may land on a space denoted“Rave”. Note for example, the space or increment denoted by the circled“14” appearing in the upper right hand corner of the game board 100. Ifa player lands on the “Rave” space, then the player rolls one die. Ifthe die turns up an even number, the player draws “Band Member” cards122. If the die turns up an odd number, then the player discard “BandMember” cards 122. Then the player rolls a second die. The number turnedup on the second die is the number of cards that the player draws ordiscards.

[0025] Finally, in order to increase the difficulty of this game, aplayer can be required to discard down to 6 or 5 “Band Member” cards 122between each turn. This will increase the length of the game. From theforegoing specification and discussion, it is seen that the game boardand game of the present invention presents an exciting game thatcombines the requirements of luck and skill in a unique way to providefor an exciting and entertaining game that is suitable to be played bypeople of all ages.

[0026] The present invention may, of course, be carried out in otherspecific ways than those herein set forth without departing from thescope and the essential characteristics of the invention. The presentembodiments are therefore to be construed in all aspects as illustrativeand not restrictive and all changes coming within the meaning andequivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embracedtherein.

1. A game board and game, comprising: (a) a game board having a startingarea, a network of irregular paths that lead from the starting area; anda central performing stage located generally centrally on the game boardand connected to at least one segment of the network of paths; (b) thenetwork of paths including a series of segments wherein each segment isbroken down into increments and wherein at least some of the incrementsinclude indicia formed thereon that dictate an action for landing on aparticular increment; (c) a series of tokens provided with the gameboard wherein a token may be assigned to one player and during thecourse of a game the token is advanced along one or more of the segmentsof the network of paths; (d) at least one die that is used to determinethe number of increments that a player's token can be advanced duringthe course of the game; (e) a supply of money that during the course ofthe game is distributed to the players; (f) a deck of “Consequence”cards that are keyed to certain increments on the network of paths, each“Consequence” card having indicia thereon that sets forth a consequenceand wherein a player landing on an increment that calls for drawing aconsequence card must comply with the directive set forth on the drawnconsequence card; (g) a deck of “Band Member” cards with the deck beingdivided into a series of groups with each group of “Band Member” cardsdesignating members of a band; (h) a series of “Band Equipment” cardswith each card designating band equipment; and (i) wherein the object ofthe game is for each player to advance his or her token along thenetwork of paths and reach the central stage with a predetermined numberof one group of “Band Member” cards and a “Band Equipment” card.
 2. Thegame board and game of claim 1 wherein the game board is provided with athreshold destination at a point along one of the segments that make upthe network of paths and wherein a player is entitled to purchase a“Band Equipment” card upon reaching the threshold destination.
 3. Thegame board and game of claim 2 wherein the threshold destination lies onan increment along one of the paths of the network of paths andwhereupon a player is permitted to purchase a “Band Equipment” card atone price when he or she lands on the increment having the thresholddestination, and to purchase a “Band Equipment” card at a higher priceif the player advances past the increment having the thresholddestination and does not, in fact, land on the increment having thethreshold destination.
 4. The game board and game of claim 3 wherein thethreshold destination is designated as a pawn shop.
 5. The game boardand game of claim 1 wherein the tokens comprise a series of miniaturebuses.
 6. The game board and game of claim 1 wherein the group of “BandMember” cards are color coded such that each group may bedistinguishable by color.
 7. The game board and game of claim 1 whereinthe network of paths include a curved shaped path that extends at leastpartially around the performing stage.
 8. The game board and game ofclaim 7 wherein the network of paths include a series of feeder pathsthat feed into the curved shaped path that at least partially surroundsthe performing stage.
 9. The game board and game of claim 8 wherein thenetwork of paths include an outer loop path that extends around the gameboard.
 10. The game board and game of claim 9 wherein the network ofpaths include a series of intermediate paths that lie inwardly of theouter loop path and wherein the curved shaped path that at leastpartially surrounds the performing stage lies inwardly of theintermediate paths and wherein the feeder paths extend between one ormore intermediate paths and the curved shaped path that at leastpartially surrounds the performing stage.
 11. A game board and gamecomprising: a game board having a performing stage and a network ofpaths including a plurality of paths that lead to the performance stage;a series of tokens for being advanced from a starting point along pathsalong the network of paths with the object being to advance the tokensto the performing stage; and at least two decks of cards, a first deckof cards and a second deck of cards, and wherein the first deck of cardsinclude “Consequence” cards that are key to increments designated alongthe respective paths of the network of paths and the second deck ofcards being collectible cards that are collected and exchanged by theplayers during the course of the game and wherein the object of the gameis to reach the performing stage by advancing a token and with a certainnumber of cards of the second deck.
 12. The game board and game of claim11 wherein the second deck of cards are “Band Member” cards and includea plurality of groups of cards with each group of cards representing aband and the members of the band, and wherein the object of the game isto arrive at the performing stage with a certain number of cardsrepresenting a band and its members.
 13. The game board and game ofclaim 12 further including a third deck of the “Band Equipment” cardsand wherein a further object of the game is to arrive at the performingstage with a “Band Equipment” card.
 14. The game board and game of claim11 wherein the network of paths includes an outer path that extendsaround the game board; at least one intermediate path that extendsaround a portion of the game board and is disposed inwardly of the outerpath; a generally curved path that extends in a curved fashion around atleast a portion of the performing stage; and a series of feeder pathsthat extend from an intermediate path to the generally curved shapedpath that curves around at least a portion of the performing stage. 15.The game board and game of claim 1 including a supply of money that isdistributed to the players and wherein during the course of the game theplayers exchange the money, or collect or pay money according toincrements designated on the game board.